Featuring Frank Ricci, Associate Director of Sales – Canada, George Courey Inc.
Canada’s hospitality and healthcare sectors are experiencing a period of remarkable growth and textiles are playing a bigger role than ever in shaping comfort, experience, and operational success. In this episode of Behind the Seams, Rob Courey sat down with Frank Ricci, Associate Director of Sales for Canada at George Courey Inc., to discuss emerging trends, market shifts, and what customers across the country are prioritizing heading into 2026.
With boots-on-the-ground insight from hotels, long-term care facilities, trade shows, and customer sites nationwide, Frank offers a real-world perspective on how Canadian operators are adapting and thriving.
A Strong Outlook for Canadian Hospitality
Hospitality in Canada has seen exceptional momentum over the past year. From major cultural events to increased domestic travel, hotels are experiencing strong occupancy rates, extended stays, and record performance metrics.
What’s different today is that demand is no longer limited to peak summer months. Operators are seeing consistent occupancy nearly year-round, which has prompted a shift in how hotels plan inventory, operations, and guest experience.
A growing focus on:
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Comfort-driven design
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Wellness and leisure amenities
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Home-away-from-home experiences
has pushed hospitality providers to rethink everything from bedding and towels to overall room presentation.
Comfort Is the New Differentiator
Today’s guests expect more and they’re willing to pay for it. Whether it’s a boutique hotel, a resort destination, or an extended-stay property, comfort has become a competitive advantage.
From higher-quality sheets and softer towels to spa-inspired amenities, hotels are elevating their textile programs to align with rising guest expectations. The goal is simple: ensure guests don’t feel the need to “travel with their own pillow.”
This shift has driven increased interest in:
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Higher thread count bedding
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Larger, more absorbent towels
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Durable products designed for commercial laundering
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Personalized and branded textile programs
Healthcare and Long-Term Care: A Parallel Evolution
Canada’s healthcare sector, particularly long-term care, is undergoing a transformation of its own. Post-pandemic priorities have accelerated investment in infection prevention, preparedness, and resident experience.
Across the country, governments are investing billions into new and redeveloped long-term care facilities. At the same time, there’s a growing recognition that comfort and dignity matter just as much as functionality.
As a result, many facilities are adopting hospitality-grade linens to improve resident well-being while maintaining the durability and performance required in healthcare environments.
Where Hospitality and Healthcare Meet
One of the most notable trends is the convergence of hospitality and healthcare textiles.
Long-term care operators are borrowing best practices from hotels focusing on presentation, softness, and experience while still prioritizing safety, durability, and infection control. This crossover allows facilities to create more welcoming, less clinical environments without compromising standards.
In some cases, even the language is changing, turning routine moments into experiences residents can look forward to.
Shifting Supply Chain and Sustainability Trends
Operational patterns have also evolved. With extended stays and reduced daily room turnover becoming more common, operators are adjusting how and when they order textiles.
Key shifts include:
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Less frequent but larger orders
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Increased emphasis on forecasting and planning
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Greater demand for higher-quality, longer-lasting products
These changes support sustainability goals by reducing unnecessary laundering while encouraging investment in products designed for longevity.
Looking Ahead: Quality, Personalization, and Preparedness
As Canada heads into a busy period marked by large-scale events, infrastructure projects, and continued growth across hospitality and healthcare, expectations will continue to rise.
Operators are increasingly focused on:
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Premium quality programs
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Personalized and branded textiles
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Reliable supply chain partners
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Sustainable, future-ready solutions
At George Courey Inc., our long-standing presence in both hospitality and healthcare uniquely positions us to bring the best of each sector together, delivering textiles that perform, last, and elevate experience.
Final Thoughts
From bustling hotels to thoughtfully designed long-term care facilities, Canada’s textile needs are evolving rapidly. What remains constant is the importance of quality, comfort, and trust in every partnership.
As Frank shared, this is an exciting time for Canada and for the customers we’re proud to support coast to coast.
Check out the full episodes of our podcast Behind The Seams!
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYKCZMIG8D4
Stay tuned for upcoming episodes, where we’ll dive deeper into the world of institutional textiles, hospitality linens, healthcare laundry solutions, and the people who keep this industry moving forward.
